[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359946,"mediaKeyId","2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982","parentId",2175488,"title","Senate committee backs bill letting counties, townships vacate streets in dissolved cities","audioSeconds",1186,"startMs",1172000,"endMs",2358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982&start=1172&end=2358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982/thumbnail_1172000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359946/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-backs-bill-letting-counties-townships-vacate-streets-in-dissolved-cities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359946-316657f99168b09f454f7821052d531b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213351&Signature=B06~cAZiyhc8mkxt7YehagZ3pI8wdtNy9JR70MdpRt4EvQKwOe4d20XA9PQH8701VIjL1zSUEI59gFGLCHnioYP5KpYT~BA1ELL0jqjZHXHWICFhnFNaRP7OLMbDOO1KnrVtrJQG7QQ8jcd4p38l1R8rTifz9izxl~seqHJAiDPQs3AyutBheonNZXvruciqr1pzDmLH6LKxUy3ZGPla9p9EA47lq3DqIRQr-5K8u5J4rNcF2D-aG7TInq9WPIQVEvDfQWtkk9sXdjSmLUy4r1Plgmt2cqZsxcXytmk~cGWdpH8APx7lASZW2d5x8wSxxje0oH-gjayn3AHjILsJJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Transportation, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Transportation Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 2329, which would let an organized township or a county (when a township is unorganized) use the same legal procedure cities use to vacate streets and alleys after a city dissolves.

Senator Du Lee, who introduced the bill, told the committee the proposal responds to calls from township officials and county attorneys about small communities that have unincorporated or dissolved and left streets and alleys “unsupervised or untended.” “There really needs to be something done about that,” Lee said.

Larry Severson, identified in testimony as the executive director of the North Carolina Township Officers Association, told the committee that the problem shows up around the state where once-incorporated towns have largely disappeared but dedicated streets remain only as lines on a map. He said current city procedures for abandonment do not apply once a city unincorporates, leaving property title questions and potential liability for counties or townships. “Only a city has the power to vacate city streets and alleys. Once the city is unincorporated, there is no power that can abandon its streets and alleys,” Severson testified.

Under the bill as discussed, an organized township would conduct the process to vacate a street; where a township is unorganized the county would have the option to use the same petition, notice and hearing process used for city street abandonment. Committee members repeatedly pressed on the meaning of permissive language — whether the county “may” act and what happens if it chooses not to — and witnesses said the permissive language means the county board must take affirmative action on a petition to start the process, and that inaction would leave maintenance choices to county priority decisions.

Witnesses and senators discussed a 2022 example involving the former town site of Larson in Burke County where a small number of residences remain and most dedicated streets exist only on maps. Testimony said the bill’s aim is to allow property owners to obtain a county recorder entry that the streets and alleys no longer exist so that title is cleared and local governments’ liability is limited.

Motion and vote: Senator Klein moved that the committee give SB 2329 a “do pass” recommendation; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded aye votes from Senators Klein, Paulson, Romo, Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Cory and Senator Hogan. The committee reported the bill as due pass; Senator Paulson agreed to carry the measure.

The committee did not adopt substantive amendments during the hearing; staff and stakeholders were asked to provide drafting details and the League of Cities and Association of Counties were referenced as having assisted in developing the procedures described in testimony.

The committee hearing combined witness testimony, sponsor remarks and several clarifying questions about county responsibility and petition-driven processes. The proposal will next proceed with the committee’s due-pass recommendation and a sponsor to carry it to the floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation Jan 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Transportation Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 2329, which would let organized townships or counties use the same legal process cities use to vacate streets and alleys in dissolved cities.","taxTitle","Transportation, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28909,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359931,"Senate committee recommends designating Highway 200 as Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway",2189,4523000,6712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982&start=4523&end=6712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982/thumbnail_4523000.jpg","/articles/6359931/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-recommends-designating-Highway-200-as-Fallen-Peace-Officers-Memorial-Highway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359931-c463ab907a02fd8e199fcc618b2ae6ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213351&Signature=Q4gwSulPqWxHFOifNf-6iMFqOl6uXauhBywCstyIgza2afOcVSR1CtVablT495yXxU9AbX4f0BXbA~r9TTi4OuoB7-~XFCVf3Kje9emJ0TjxyuSIthDR~-Wmx9~PQeTfzM-aXBJIo17dVz01QvNR-hFz7yrVWy1Q7nwZ7pxopX5E0LIXcUrn-b0ARIFuX3FhacVWKFjiblu~4BuEx8xI5D3qrjQhuiaf5GuXc-NdrC9MpgDfgX6xl8-6ndUhKWr1fVFzTIG1yCzXXlsS4D0MxWwbF5Q8zp3iNw4NAXz7ixHNg1pj2deuZaoky1EUCVKrdpG7jaOHb7PIzz3OdvmKDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 2277, which would designate State Highway 200 as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and allow the Department of Transportation to place signage and accept donated signs or funds for memorial markers.

Senator Keith Boehm sponsored the bill and told the committee the designation would honor peace officers, including canine officers, who have been killed in the line of duty. “This bill not only ensures the legacy of those these officers is preserved but also serves as a constant reminder to all who travel this route of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement community,” he said.

Several witnesses, including Mindy Martin (who identified herself as the spouse of Mercer County deputy Paul Martin, killed Dec. 6, 2023 on Highway 200), Travis Bateman, Curt Olson (retired McLean County lieutenant), Kelvin Benson (North Dakota Peace Officers Association), Danelle Presky (North Dakota Association of Counties) and local representatives, spoke in support. Martin said the highway crosses the state and that a designation would be “a great representation to honor all of our fallen North Dakota Peace Officers.”

Witnesses and committee members discussed implementation details and costs. Curt Olson and others said signage costs would be modest statewide; Olson and Travis Bateman provided a rough estimate of signage and posts totaling about $3,595 for a set of signs and noted individual memorial plaques would cost more. Matt Lineman, deputy director of engineering at NDDOT, told the committee signs must meet the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the DOT would work with the Peace Officers Association on language, spacing and donated signs. \"We can definitely work with that and make something that everyone can agree to,\" Lineman said.

Motion and vote: Senator Klein moved a due-pass recommendation and Senator Hogan seconded. The clerk recorded aye votes from Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Corey, Senator Hogan, Senator Klein, Senator Paulson and Senator Romo; the motion passed and the committee reported the bill as due pass. Senator Hogan agreed to carry the bill.

The committee closed the hearing after supportive testimony and directed DOT to coordinate sign design and placement with stakeholders.","The committee gave Senate Bill 2277 a due-pass recommendation after multiple supporters, including family members of a fallen deputy, law enforcement associations and retired officers, testified in favor of designating State Highway 200 as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and permitting donated signage.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359936,"Committee holds township-funding bill pending updated data and fiscal note",943,2800000,3743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982&start=2800&end=3743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/6359936/North-Dakota/Committee-holds-township-funding-bill-pending-updated-data-and-fiscal-note","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359936-3559dd490de6e5219a0e46209ab05083/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213351&Signature=fm2E1lNSLg6Cq5IUTxPETLk76II7NvBex-mUEy1PYY7V8UEEddRZcnEcQJMmdyjwEcVdGVzy8qEdhOXKTn3Ec3ftFeE6zXCCbxPb8bPe0bqe8D0epB~X7x-SPb0T4mnxG~5OjOkbIEN3ynW6v2nWH7Ibh72Xn40ZJo1rBeQi4aNBvGrW-cqz5z0L2zK1AYsk7wOUPlr7FPeZhOZxKlf2yp9m9EnznNQpA-GNxg0RgjlW257WJxZUCz1vDr03xN8MzAET04r2uKOOZztL55UZD1q4t58UXZE40EiFn8HoRJasW8ynUOxsKzyJ6j-kwZRga0aO4-afvutj3Eme5ulxcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2142, which would change funding rules for townships (including eligibility tied to mill levies and classification of oil-producing counties), was held for further consideration after committee members requested updated tax-department data and a fiscal note.

Senator Romo asked to hold the bill while 2024 information from the North Dakota Tax Department is obtained; he told the committee that 2023 data showed a large number of townships that would be disqualified under the proposed threshold and he wanted updated figures to understand the bill’s scope. \"I would like to make sure that we have the most accurate information… I have requested the 2024 information,\" Romo said.

Committee discussion ranged from the scale of prior township appropriations — members recounted that township funding rose from about $36 million to $86 million and then to $106 million over successive biennia — to a sponsor request that further work on county oil-producing definitions and prioritization be completed. One senator summarized the aggregate township requests across committees as roughly $296 million (a 780% increase from earlier baselines), and members expressed concern about equitable allocation and whether a statewide priority list is needed to direct funds to the highest-need roads and bridges.

Senators asked for additional drafting work, including an amendment to determine non–oil-producing county definitions by production rather than dollars, and requested a fiscal note and updated tax-year data. The committee agreed to move SB 2142 to the following week to continue discussions and to allow sponsors to refine the bill text and provide the requested information.

No formal committee vote on the merits of SB 2142 was taken during the session; the item was postponed for further work.","Senate Bill 2142, a measure affecting township funding eligibility and grant distribution, was held for further analysis. Members requested updated 2024 tax data and a fiscal note before proceeding; senators also discussed the broader context of township funding increases and allocation methodology.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359941,"Committee approves fees for blackout license plates and gives bill a do-pass",155,2562000,2717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982&start=2562&end=2717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175488-799e5d27191294bd6977a2795150c982/thumbnail_2562000.jpg","/articles/6359941/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-fees-for-blackout-license-plates-and-gives-bill-a-do-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359941-18a34ad8c7021c482d21ee536e90a178/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213351&Signature=kLhYMhR7exlG83RoO~v5d4Zx~fdYOwjnqTqOdrT88JxXa162UYEeQV5iZVbfYkGYiqO6jo5CjmK6pVLhCz-0SnstBpXatVulh7khmQvfSri4Vv3KiBejr8rVAMT0HXeJ9egS4A6oDc0CeTwZ4FP5EzvC7S5TQfW-IL8daWuitEI6PkyUt6Lsja9ZjcndWJJnTYrADJMDVIkxz93H8U7OqC2NPtQUc21kdyhd2AJpxC2qaWTR5fql934XlQ59F1FpHFVx0b~2231c7kFkUDa~I~6dHhO4ptFRAi9fDQrJiB~aE1unsihrIkI8qlBWK72ESxBkVelZvhrubGWoPh9MUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Transportation Committee approved an amendment to Senate Bill 2133 setting fees for a black (blackout) license plate and then reported the bill as due pass as amended.

Senator Rummel moved approval of the proposed amendment for SB 2133 (amendment 25.0580.01001). \"I would move for approval of the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 2,133,\" Rummel said. Senator Cory seconded the motion. The roll call on the amendment recorded aye votes from Senators Paulson, Romo, Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Cory, Senator Hogan and Senator Klein; the amendment passed.

Under the adopted amendment the director would issue blackout number plates upon receipt of regular registration fees plus an initial $15 fee and an additional $25 per registration period; the language was discussed at the hearing to clarify how the added fees are collected and applied to the blackout plate option.

After the amendment passed, a motion to give Senate Bill 2133 a due-pass recommendation as amended was made and seconded. The committee roll call for the final bill recorded aye votes from Senators Romo, Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Cory, Senator Hogan and Senator Paulson and a no vote from Senator Klein; the motion passed and the bill was reported as due pass. Senator Corey indicated he would carry the bill.

The committee did not take additional substantive changes during that session; staff will incorporate the amendment language into the bill draft for floor consideration.","The committee approved an amendment adding a $15 initial fee and a $25 per-registration-period fee for a new blackout license plate, then gave Senate Bill 2133 a due-pass recommendation as amended. The amendment passed on a roll call; the final bill passed the committee on a separate roll call with one 'no' vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee backs bill letting counties, townships vacate streets in dissolved cities

Senate committee recommends designating Highway 200 as Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway

Committee holds township-funding bill pending updated data and fiscal note

Committee approves fees for blackout license plates and gives bill a do-pass